Traditional Malaysian art is primarily composed of Malay art and Bornean art, is very similar to the other styles from Southeast Asia, such as Bruneian, Indonesian and Singaporean. Art has a long tradition in Malaysia, with Malay art that dating back to the Malay sultanates, has always been influenced by Chinese, Indian and Islamic arts, and also present, due to large population of Chinese and Indian in today's Malaysian demographics.
Colonialism also brought other art forms, such as Portuguese dances and music. During this era, influences from Portuguese, Dutch, and the British, were also visible especially in terms of fashion and architecture in many colonial towns of Malaya and Borneo such as Penang, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Jesselton. Despite the influences of aboard, the indigenous art of Malaysia continues to survive among the Orang Asli of peninsular and numerous ethnic groups in Sarawak and Sabah.
Nowadays, given the globally influenced and technology, the younger generation of Malaysian artists have moved from the traditional material such as wood, metals, and forest products, and becoming involved in different forms of arts, such as animation, photography, painting, sculpture, and street art. Many of them attaining international recognition for their artworks and exhibitions worldwide, combining styles from all over the world with the traditional Malaysian traditions.
Architecture
Various cultural influences, notably Chinese, Indian and Europeans, played a major role in forming Malaysian architecture. Until recent time, wood was the principal material used for all Malaysian traditional buildings. However, numerous stone structures were also discovered particularly the religious complexes from the time of ancient Malay kingdoms. Throughout many decades, the traditional Malaysian architecture has been influenced by Buginese and Javanese from the south, Islamic, Siamese, and Indian from the north, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Acehnese and Minangkabau from the west and southern Chinese from the east.
Performing art Malaysians have diverse kinds of music, dance, theatre, and martial arts which are fusions of different cultural influences. Typical genres range from traditional Malay folk dance dramas such as mak yong to the Arab-influenced zapin dances. Choreographed movements also vary from simple steps and tunes in dikir barat to the more complicated moves in joget gamelan. These different types of Malaysian performance art reflects the diverse cultural groups within Malaysia.
Music
Traditional Malaysian music is mostly percussion based. Various kinds of gongs provide the beat for many dances. There are also drums of various sizes, ranging from the large Kelantanese rebana ubi (bass drum) used to punctuate important events to the small jingled-rebana (frame drum) used as an accompaniment to vocal recitations in religious ceremonies.
Nobat music has been a part of the royal regalia of Malay courts since the arrival of Islam in the 15th century and only performed in important court ceremonies. Its orchestra includes the sacred and highly revered instruments of nehara (kettledrums), gendang (double-headed drums), nafiri (trumpet), serunai (oboe), and sometimes a knobbed gong and a pair of cymbals.
Traditional Malaysian music also include; Johor with its ghazal Melayu; Malacca with its dondang sayang; Negeri Sembilan with its bongai and tumbuk kalang; Kelantan with its dikir barat and rebana ubi; Sabah with their kulintangan, isun-isun and sompoton; Sarawak with their bermukun, engkromong and sape; Perak with its belotah and rebana Perak; Penang with its unique boria and ghazal parti; Selangor with its cempuling and keroncong; Terengganu with its middle-eastern inspired rodat and kertuk ulu.
Dance Malaysian dance is also tremendously diverse, as each ethnic group has its own dances. Among the ethnic Malay majority, there are several traditional dances performed widely at cultural festivals and other special occasions, such as joget and zapin. In the royal courts, there are also a series of complex court dances developed throughout the centuries which require great skill. Some of the more widely known are joget gamelan, inai, and asyik dances.
Other well-known Malaysian dances are; mak inang from Malacca; ulek mayang from Terengganu; canggung and layang mas from Perlis, ngajat from Sarawak; mangunatip, mongigol and sumazau from Sabah. While the Chinese communities retain their traditional lion dance and dragon dance, while Indian dances include bharata natyam and bhangra.
Theatre Theatrical arts in Malaysia has its root in traditional rituals but also serves as entertainment. Notable Malaysian performing art include ritual dances, dance drama that retells ancient epics, legends, and stories; also wayang kulit, a traditional shadow puppet show.
Shadow Puppetry: Indian and Javanese influences are strong in the traditional Malaysian shadow play known as wayang kulit. The stories from Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as stories from the Javanese Panji tales formed the main repertoire of the play.
There are four distinctive types of shadow puppet theatre that can be found in Malaysia; wayang gedek, wayang purwa, wayang Melayu and wayang Siam. Nonetheless, the art and the storytelling of wayang purwa and wayang Siam denote a regional influence infused with the Javanese and Siamese respectively, while wayang Melayu and wayang gedek narrated a more indigenous Malay form and fashion.
Dance-drama: Dance, drama and traditional music in Malaysia are usually merged as a whole complete of performing art form. The traditional Malaysian dance drama art form includes; awang batil in Perlis; mak yong, menora, tok selampit in Kelantan; hamdolok in Johor; randai and tukang kaba in Negeri Sembilan; jikey, mek mulung in Kedah; bangsawan in Malacca and Penang.
Martial art
Archaeological evidence reveals that, by the 6th century, formalised combat arts were being practised in Malaysia. The earliest forms of silat are believed to have been developed and used in the armed forces of the ancient Malay kingdoms of Langkasuka (2nd century).
The influence of the Malay sultanates of Malacca, Johor, Patani and Brunei has contributed to the spread of this martial art in the Malay archipelago. Through a complex maze of sea channels and river capillaries that facilitated exchange and trade throughout the region, silat wound its way into the dense rainforest and up into the mountains. Apart from silat, tomoi is also practised by Malays, mainly in the northern region of Malaysia. It is a variant of Indochinese forms of kickboxing which is believed to have been spread in mainland Southeast Asia since the time of the Kingdom of Funan (68 AD).
On the other hand, in Sarawak, the Ibans are known for their kuntau, a martial art passed down by their ancestors and practised from generation and generation. Until today, kuntau remains guarded by secrecy, seldom shown to the public, and rarely taught outside the community. Though traditionally passed within the family, it has dwindled in popularity among the young.
Visual art Several design elements of traditional Malaysian art are adapted to modern structures to reflect the Malaysian identity. The entrance to the Petronas Twin Towers is adorned with contemporary Malay motifs adapted from traditional handicrafts, including songket and timber carvings inspired by images of the tropical rainforests.
Metalwork
Malaysian metalworks assumed a role more than a mere instrumental tool. It serves as a testament of culture, cultivated by artistic appreciation and religious symbols, moulded by a craftsman who possessed a talent to redefined the essence of nature in the most ornamental manner. Upon the turn of the 17th century, iron, gold, silver, and brass have all been perfectly moulded to become part and parcel to the Malay society.
Goldwork: The art of casting gold were predominantly done by repoussé and granulation techniques, in which the traditional methods can still be witnessed until today. There are also a number of other prominent items in the Malay regalia cast in gold, including ceremonial box, tepak sirih (a betel container) and parts of kris (a peculiar Malay dagger). In the contemporary era, the Malay gold jewels are mainly found in the form of anklets, bracelets, rings, necklaces, pendants and earrings.
Silverwork: The works of silver are fairly known for its sophisticated and fine designs. It is usually crafted in the form of repoussé, filigree and neillowork. Among the common traditional Malay items usually made of silver includes pillow ends, belt buckles, matt corners, stoppers for water vessels, kris sheaths, and tobacco boxes. The awan larat (cloud patterns) and kerawang (vegetal motives) are among the popular designs for Malay decorative silver pillow ends and tobacco boxes.
Brasswork: The usage of brassware transcends a plethora of classical Malay social classes, being used by the members of nobility and commoners alike. The popularity of brassware is heavily contributed due to its durability, quality, and affordability to all. The brassware can be narrowed into two distinctions, yellow brass for functional items and white for decorative purposes. It is often meticulously hammered and craved with various decorative designs in religious and floral motives. The usage of brass, however, is also best known for tepak sirih, and for constructing certain musical instruments such as gongs for the classical Malay gamelan orchestra.
Pewterwork: Pewter is considered as relatively recent, with history only dated to the colonial era. Despite its recent history, Malaysia is very well known for its decorative pewter items and tableware. In fact, Malaysia was once the world's largest tin producer and currently the largest manufacturer of pewter, so it is common for tourists to buy Malaysian pewter products as souvenirs.
Weaponry
Blowpipe: A blowpipe is the simplest form of ranged weapon, consisting of a long narrow tube for shooting light projectiles such as darts. It is a traditional weapon for hunters of various indigenous tribes in both, west and east Malaysia, as well as a status symbol for many of them, similar to the kris to the Malays. In the past, craftsmen would take several months to make a blowpipe using traditional methods.
Kris: Kris is one of the most revered items of Malay weaponry. By the time of Malacca in the 15th century, the evolution of the Malay kris was perfected and possession of a kris came to be regarded as part-and-parcel of Malay culture, becoming a philosophical symbol, juxtaposition in prestige, craftsmanship, masculinity, and honour. During this classical era, a Malay man was not seen without a kris outside of his house. The absence of a kris on a man was frowned upon, perceived as if he were parading naked to the public.